Information for:

November 2007

Release Date: November 13, 2007

ASU Eliminates Summer Commencement Ceremonies

Angelo State University will no longer hold summer commencement ceremonies, but will make accommodations to students planning to complete their degree work in the summer so that they can participate in either the spring or fall commencement exercise.

Many universities nationally conduct only fall and spring commencement ceremonies, the model that ASU will follow in the future.

Dr. Richard A. Beck, associate vice president for academic and student affairs, said the decision was partially based upon budgetary considerations, noting that the summer commencement costs almost as much as the spring and fall ceremonies yet draws only half the attendance.

Beck said provisions have been made so that students who would have walked across the stage in August may do so, either during the May commencement or the subsequent December commencement.

ASU’s Academic Deans’ Council has authorized students who are within 12 semester credit hours of finishing their degree requirements to participate in the May commencement if they are scheduled to complete the necessary coursework during the two subsequent summer sessions. Students needing more than 12 hours to finish their degrees will participate in the December commencement.

“With the change, we have tried to accommodate students who would have crossed the stage during future summer commencements,” Beck said. “As a result, we have changed our procedures so that they will have other opportunities to participate in a commencement and so that we as a university can still recognize them for their academic accomplishments.”

After this year’s fall commencement on Dec. 15, ASU’s next two commencements will be May 10 and Dec. 13 of 2008. All ceremonies will be in the Junell Center/Stephens Arena.

Students seeking additional information should contact the dean of their college or call the Office of Academic and Student Affairs at 942-2165.